State Senator (MN-20)

Employer / Organization

Next Election

Aug 11, 2020

Filing Window

May 19, 2020 - Jun 02, 2020

Description

A Minnesota State Senator serves in the upper house of the bicameral Minnesota State Legislature. Minnesota has 67 senators, who each represent one district within the state. Each senator represents about 81,447 constituents from their respective districts. Primary responsibilities of a senator include, developing budget packages, making taxation decisions, passing legislation, allocating spending, and redistricting in collaboration with other senators and the house of representatives. Additionally, the senate has the exclusive authority to try officials impeached by the house in addition to authorizing certain executive appointments. Leadership in the senate is guided by the Senate President, who, after being chosen by the majority party caucus, and elected by the entire senate body, is charged with assigning each senator to various committees and leadership positions. A Minnesota senator serves a two-year term when elected in years ending with a 0, and a four-year term when elected in years ending in 2 and 6. There is no limit on the number of terms served. The salary of the position is $31,140 per year in addition to per diem for every day in session.

Application Guidelines

1) Contact the Minnesota Secretary of State Office to assist you in the filing process. Check that your registered address qualifies you for the position you intend to run for, and that you meet other office specific qualifications. 2) Complete nominating petitions if you are running as a minor party candidate or an independent candidate along with the other required documents and then submit these items to the appropriate filing officer. The filing officer is who the candidate files their affidavit of candidacy and petitions with. Federal candidates file with the Minnesota Secretary of State Office. State candidates can file with either the Minnesota Secretary of State or with the auditor of their county of residence. County office candidates file with the county and municipal office candidates file with their local office. If you are running as a major party candidate or for a nonpartisan office you are not required to submit a nominating petition. All candidates must pay a filing fee or submit a nomination petition in lieu of a filing fee. Note: a nominating petition differs from a nomination petition. The nominating petition is required for minor party or independent party candidates to become eligible for placement on the ballot. A Petition in Place of Filing Fee is an optional document that can be used in lieu of paying a filing fee and is an available option to all candidates. Candidates filing by petition should closely review state requirements. 3) Submit the nominating petitions, filing fee (or A Petition in Place of Filing Fee) and other required documents to the Minnesota Secretary of State Office during the filing window. If the position in which you are running for has a possible primary, submit the documents between 84 and 70 days before the primary. The Minnesota primary election is held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August. If the position does not have a primary election, submit the documents between 98 days and 84 days before the general election. If you have any questions please contact the Minnesota Secretary of State Office by phone at 1-877-600-VOTE (8683).